ONE of the most overlooked keys of finding freedom is understanding your genealogy. Whenever we think about deliverance, most believers focus on the immediate problems—tormenting dreams and thoughts, addictions, repeated failures and the seemingly unending battles!
Just as our physical DNA carries traits from our parents and ancestors, our spiritual lives can, and do also carry patterns, blessings and at worst, curses passed down through family blood-lines.
This is why deliverance ministers like medics, often ask questions about family history. They may request information about your family tree, not to pry, but to uncover potential legal grounds the enemy may be using.
Click to read a related post.
Deliverance is not about condemnation, but about acknowledgment, repentance and breaking agreement with the past so that God may use you effectively and His purposes can flow unhindered in your life.
The Bible consistently emphasizes that the choices of one generation affect the next. In Exodus 20:5–6, God declares, “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
God is not punishing innocent children unfairly. Rather, it shows the spiritual consequences of family choices. Just as a family may pass down wealth, land or skills, it may also pass down spiritual baggage like idolatry, immorality, addictions or bloodshed.
Abraham lied about his wife Sarah. His son Isaac repeated the same deception about Rebekah. His grandson Jacob became known as a deceiver.
Tracing your genealogy
David fell into sexual sin with Bathsheba, and generations after him struggled with immorality and rebellion.
This continuity shows that genealogy matters. During deliverance not only demons are cast out. Of course they are responsible for reinforcing patterns-they are like parasites- not responsible for the decay but are attracted by it, but ministers also look for things that flow through family bloodlines and to deal with them in prayer.
Click to read a related post.
Just as physical DNA passes on eye colour, height and body structure, there is also a spiritual inheritance that passes down patterns of blessing or bondage. This is why it is important to know your ancestors—not to glorify them, but to identify what doors may have been opened.
For example, if there was idolatry, descendants may struggle with confusion, false worship, or inability to connect deeply with God. If there was bloodshed or witchcraft, the family may face unusual tragedies, premature deaths or cycles of failure. If there was faithfulness to God, blessings may continue through the genealogy and for generations!
Deliverance requires that we acknowledge these realities, repent where needed and renounce any evil agreements our ancestors made. By doing this, we cut off the enemy’s legal grounds and allow the blood of Jesus to cleanse our lineage.
Through a process of spiritual mapping you may prayerfully investigate your family history to identify strongholds. This is the first strategy for spiritual warfare. A deliverance minister may ask questions like:
- Were there known practices of idolatry, witchcraft, or occult involvement?
- Was there premature death, barrenness, addictions, or repeated patterns of poverty?
- Were there broken marriages or cycles of abuse, suicide in your family line?
- What were the religious practices of your ancestors?
By identifying these, one gains clarity in prayer. Repentance is specific. Renunciation becomes targeted. Instead of general prayers, one can say: “Lord, I renounce and break every agreement with idolatry practiced by my forefathers. I cut off every claim of witchcraft on my bloodline, in Jesus’ name.”
This targeted prayer and precision in deliverance brings deeper freedom.
Adopted children and genealogy issues
A common question arises- what about adopted children? Do they inherit generational curses from their biological families, adoptive families, or both?
The story of Moses gives us insight. Moses was adopted into Pharaoh’s household. Though biologically a Hebrew, he was raised in an Egyptian palace surrounded by idols. He had to later confront the gods of Egypt directly during his calling. This shows that adoption has direct influence from either family line.
An adopted child still carries physical DNA and spiritual inheritance from biological parents. These patterns may manifest in their lives.
By becoming part of a new family, they also become subject to that family’s spiritual environment. If the adoptive family practiced idolatry, its influence can affect them too.
The good news is that in Christ, we are adopted into the family of God (Romans 8:15). This adoption overrides all earthly inheritances. However, just as Moses had to confront Pharaoh’s gods, believers must confront the idols, sins, and strongholds from both their biological and adoptive lineages. A deliverance minister should prayerfully address both sides, seeking information where possible, and where unknown, applying prayers of renunciation and covering through the blood of Jesus.
Moses’ story teaches another principle: you cannot ignore your genealogical history. Moses had to go back to Egypt, confront the gods he grew up with, and lead Israel out. Similarly, we must face the patterns, practices, and agreements in our bloodline. Ignoring them does not make them disappear.
Deliverance involves confrontation-Confronting the idols of our fathers. Confronting the lies we inherited. Confronting the systems of oppression in our lineage. Only then can we truly break free and walk into God’s promises.
The genealogy ahead
Deliverance is not only about the past; it is also about the future. Our choices today affect generations to come. Just as sin can pass down to the third and fourth generation, so can blessing flow to a thousand generations.
What we do today will echo into our children’s lives, our grandchildren and beyond. By breaking generational strongholds now, we secure freedom for those who come after us. By walking in holiness today, we sow blessings for future generations.
Exodus 20:6 says, “but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” King David’s life is a fulfilment of this promise. Jesus came from his lineage.
Psalm 112:2 declares, “His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.” This means that our obedience, righteousness and deliverance today become the foundation for a blessed lineage tomorrow.
Here are practical steps in genealogical deliverance
- Spiritual mapping – prayerfully trace both biological and adoptive family lines. Note patterns and possible open doors.
- Confession and repentance – acknowledge ancestral sins before God. You are not guilty of their acts, but repentance breaks identification and agreement.
- Renunciation – verbally reject and cut ties with ancestral covenants, vows and curses.
- Apply the blood of Jesus – declare cleansing and redemption over your lineage.
- Confront strongholds – if needed, go through deliverance prayer in Spiritual Warfare Series Vol 2 Study Guide by Pastor Nellie Shani to break demonic attachments.
- Build a new foundation – walk in obedience, sow righteousness, and declare blessing over future generations.
Genealogy is central issue in deliverance. Knowing where you come from sheds light on the battles you face. The flesh may carry tendencies, and the bloodline may carry patterns of sin, but Christ came to redeem us from every curse.
YOU
↓
CHILDREN
↓
GRANDCHILDREN
↓
GREAT GRANDCHILDREN
What matters is acknowledging the reality of generational influences, repenting, renouncing, and applying the power of the cross of Christ. We must confront the idols of our past.
The choices we make today will shape our genealogy to the fourth generation. May our obedience to God secure blessing for a thousand generations. Amen!!!
